Page 32 of If You Fight

He simply shook his head and took another gulp of whisky.

“Who could do this to you? No one can handle themselves like you, Ryder. What happened?”

I didn’t get an answer to those questions either, but he smiled and said, “One man didn’t do this.”

“More than one man jumped you? Is that what happened? Where? Where did this happen, Ryder?”

He let out a slow sigh and lifted his hand to cradle my cheek. “You know who did this, Serena.”

I couldn’t believe that. Shaking my head, I tried not to hear what he said. “No. Why? Why would he do this? You’re his favorite.”

Ryder pulled me to him and kissed me sweetly on the lips. “I told you I’d look back on that day I first kissed you and know I’d pay for it. He knows about us.”

I recoiled in horror that my father had him beaten because he cared for me. “Oh, Ryder! He did this because of me?”

“No, no. I didn’t mean that, Serena. He didn’t have those guys beat me up because we’re together. He had them do it because of what I did to Oliver.”

The more he explained, the more I didn’t understand. My father disliked Oliver enough to order him killed himself, so why would he punish Ryder for doing just that?

“My father as much as said he would have taken care of Oliver for what he did to me. What does it matter who did it or why?”

Ryder shook his head and smiled. “It matters because you asked me to do it, not him.”

“That’s crazy. I’m his daughter.”

I hung my head as the reality of what had happened sunk in, but Ryder gently lifted my chin so I had to look at him. “He knows about us, Serena. I think that was part of why he had me beaten.”

His swollen face looked so awful I nearly broke out in tears. “I’m so sorry. I never imagined he’d do this when he found out. I always thought he would find out, but I didn’t think he’d do anything like this to you. I just figured he’d send one of us away again and that would be it. Then we’d have to find a way to be together. I never meant to do anything to hurt you, Ryder.”

“Shhh. I don’t regret a thing. I’d gladly give my life to be with you, so a beating by two of your father’s thugs is nothing. I’ll be fine.”

He winced as he said the word fine, and I knew he was anything but. Bringing his fingers to my lips, I kissed them and pressed my cheek into his palm. “I never wanted you to suffer for being with me. You’re the only thing that makes life worth living most days. I would do anything to make sure you weren’t hurt because of me.”

“Serena, I’ve been beaten ten times worse when I used to fight. I’ll be okay. I just need to have some more whisky and close my eyes for a few minutes.”

He took another swig from the bottle and handed it to me. He looked exhausted, so I set the bottle on the coffee table and helped him lean back on the couch. Mumbling something about how much he loved me, he closed his eyes and fell silent before drifting off to sleep a minute later.

I watched as his chest barely moved as he breathed, his body protecting him from pain with every inhale and exhale. Never before had I seen him so beaten, yet still he wanted to protect me, to be with me no matter what cost to him.

My father’s actions would have consequences. If it was the last thing I did, I’d make him pay for hurting the man who had saved my life more times than I deserved.

I slipped awaywhile the whisky gave Ryder some relief and let him sleep. Heading down to my father’s office, all I could think of was how much I hated him for what he’d done. All my life, he’d pushed around everyone I cared about. This time he’d gone too far.

One of his goons stood guard at the door, and as I marched toward him, I wondered if he was one of the men who had beaten Ryder. Staring him down, I pushed past him and walked into my father’s office before he could even try to stop me.

“I want to talk to you,” I announced as I stopped behind one of the chairs in front of his desk.

My father looked up from his laptop and cocked a single eyebrow, like my being there intrigued him for the moment. “Are you feeling better today, dear?”

“I would be if I didn’t know you had Ryder beaten half to death.”

Instead of saying anything in response, my father stood and walked over to the bar to make his usual drink. His back to me, I heard him slowly drop three ice cubes into his glass and then pour the bourbon and water over them. I knew this technique of his, though. I’d watched him do this very thing many times before when he wanted to control a situation.

But I wouldn’t let him control anything anymore. Not me and not Ryder.

“I know what you’re doing, and it’s not going to work. You can draw out making that damn drink of yours all you want. I have no intention of allowing myself to become relaxed because you made me wait. Trust me, my anger is going to increase if you keep dragging your feet.”

He turned around and looked at me, that one eyebrow still cocked. “I don’t know what you’re so upset about today, Serena, but I can assure you that whatever it is, I’m not doing anything other than getting myself a much needed drink. Would you like one?”

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